1. Can I have more than one pheochromocytoma at once?

Yes. Usually a single adrenal tumor will arise in one gland or the other, but multiple tumors can form. This is more likely in people with a strong family history of pheochromocytomas. A person may have a tumor in each adrenal gland or occasionally in other locations.

2. Does the amount of urine metanephrines detected correspond to the size of the tumor?

3. Is it really necessary to follow the dietary restrictions?

The level of catecholamines (and their metabolites) in blood is affected by diet. For test accuracy, interfering substances need to be avoided. Various foods, including caffeine-containing foods such as coffee and energy drinks, and chocolate, as well as cigarette and cigar smoking may interfere with the test and should be avoided prior to testing. It is important to follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider and the specimen collection site.

4. Is it really necessary to collect urine for 24 hours?

Yes, for accurate test results, it is essential that all of the urine be collected. Because the catecholamines are released at varying times, one sample might not be sufficient to detect the average concentration of metanephrines.

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This article was last reviewed on October 9, 2015. | This article was last modified on December 3, 2015.

The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.

The modified date indicates that one or more changes were made to the article. Such changes may or may not result from a full review of the article, so the two dates may not always agree.